United States President Donald Trump suddenly said on Friday, May 29 that he has terminated Washington’s relationship with the World Health Organisation (WHO).

He accused the United Nations agency of allowing the Covid-19 pandemic to spread out of control and bowing to pressure from China.

“We have detailed the reforms that [the WHO] must make and engage with them directly, but they have refused to act,” Trump said in a White House press briefing.

“Because they have failed to make the requested and greatly needed reforms, we will be today, terminating our relationship with the World Health Organisation and redirecting those funds to other worldwide and deserving urgent global public health needs," Trump said.

“China’s cover up of the Wuhan virus allowed the disease to spread all over the world, instigating a global pandemic that has caused more than 100,000 American lives, and over a million lives worldwide.”

He added: “Chinese officials ignored their reporting obligations to the World Health Organisation and pressured the World Health Organisation to mislead the world.”

WHO is currently coordinating international vaccine and drug trials to fight Covid-19.

This is a developing story.